Provincial Marine to host ‘Fire on the Water’ benefit dinner

As part of their ongoing series of historical dinners, the Provincial Marine of Amherstburg will be hosting ‘Fire on the Water ~ the sailors of Amherstburg in the War of 1812’, on Saturday October 22nd at the Royal Canadian Legion on Dalhousie Street.

Chatham storyteller Doug Robinson returns in his role of ‘Shaymus Gunn’ to present the interwoven tale of three of the area’s most important sailors during the war. The story will follow the lives of Alexander MacKintosh, master of the schooner ‘Nancy’, Frederic Rolette, the celebrated commander of the ‘General Hunter’, and Robert Heriot Barclay, a career officer of the Royal Navy, who would take command of the Amherstburg Squadron at a crucial moment.

Shaymus Gunn

While parts of these men’s lives are well known, much of their stories have been lost to the mists of time. During this evening, we will follow MacKintosh across the lake to invade American soil, stand with Rolette when he is shot in the head and lives to tell the tale, and weep and rejoice with Barclay as his career is both destroyed and redeemed. Oh, and did we mention that there’s a wonderful romance involved?

As always, the evening will include traditional music presented in a ‘sing-along’ style, and other shenanigans that the group is known for. Tickets are just $16, which includes a roast beef dinner, door prizes and live entertainment. Tickets are available at the Legion. Watch next week’s edition of the River Town Times for a promotional brochure with all of the details.